Document - Historical Society Minutes - Historical Society Meeting Minutes - 3/4/2014MEETING NOTES/MINUTES
EAGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
TUESDAY
March 4, 2014
3:30 p.m. – 2nd Floor Conference Room A/B
Members present: Chair Mary Ellen Voracek, Vice-Chair Kim Hazel, Martin DesLauriers, Millie
Gignac, Steve Hansen, Bernie Jansen, Ted Ringberg, Joan Kennedy, and Dawn Simpson. Also
present was Communication Coordinator Joanna Foote.
MEETING MINUTES & SECRETARY
The minutes from February, 2014 were approved and accepted with noted corrections.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY BUSINESS
Recap of 1914 Town Hall Discussion at February 11, City Council Workshop
Foote recapped the action taken at the City Council Worksession (based from notes she provided
to Bernie Jansen as a recap to the Dakota County Historical Society Board) The Eagan Historical
Society and City staff prepared information for a City Council Work Session on February 11, at
which the Council discussed next steps regarding the 1914 Town Hall, following the arson.
Mary Ellen Voracek, Chair of the Eagan Historical Society and Bob Herskovitz of the Minnesota
Historical Society gave a summary of their recommendations and were available for questions.
Communications Coordinator Foote provided additional information.
Foote voiced her concerns to the committee members regarding the regarding the article that
was printed. (Article is included in packet).
Contrary to what was reported in the SunThisweek Newspaper, the Council discussion
included the following: (It should be noted that the Eagan City Council does not typically take
action at a work session but often provides general direction).
City Administrator Osberg introduced the item noting on September 8, 2013, an arsonist set
fire to the Old Town Hall building causing substantial damage. Since that time the building
has been shrink-wrapped to preserve the structure through the winter. Osberg noted the
Finance Committee reviewed several options at a meeting on October 28, 2013. Per the
committee recommendation and the Council’s concurrence those recommendations have been
explored further.
The Council discussed the Old Town Hall considerations and agreed they are not interested in
having the Old Town Hall moved to the Eagan Community Center/Central Park area, or its
history collection located there. The Council indicated they are not interested in much higher
costs to rebuild the Old Town Hall with vintage 1914 materials compared to rebuilding with
newer materials but meant to match what was there.
After further discussion the Council gave direction to pursue proposals from architects seeking
rough cost estimates and sketches of the following three options associated with relocating/
reconstructing Old Town Hall:
1.Stand-alone building on the municipal campus with functional space (bathrooms, office
space, air condition/heat, etc.).
2.Use of the former Fire Administration building in partnership with other
arts/history/culture uses.
3.Reconstruct Old Town Hall as a building addition (possible breezeway) utilizing
amenities of City Hall (air condition/heat, bathrooms, etc.).
Recap Progress of Advisory Parks Commission on Naming Park
Four names have been generated between the Advisory Parks Commission sub-committee and
the Eagan Historical Society for naming the new park. They are Onion Patch Park, Nicols
Station, River Valley, Bridgeview.
Committee members discussed the name options and indicated a strong preference for Onion
Patch Park. DesLauriers argued thatEagan had been known as the “Onion Capital” and this is
not commemorated anywherewithin Eagan roads or parks.
He also gave a brief history of the Nicols Station as a railroad stop where locals shipped grains,
onions, gavel etc. DesLauriers mention that there was an old store there (originally built and
owned by James Scott) at the end it was run by Elisabeth Kennealy but was operated as a living
space. Mrs Kennealy wrote for the local Eagan Chronical newspaper for years. Palmers Nursery
was also in that area. DesLauriers also noted that he recalled Jim Scott received meat deliveries
to his mail box and would resell this meat from his store. The meat sat in the box all day until he
arrived in the evening and would bring the meat inside the store.
Members also recalled reading/hearing that when Sibley became Governor, he procured land in
Eagan. When he resold the property, every forty acres of highland he sold, he gave the buyer a
ten acre parcel on the river bottoms for farming (typically onions, potatoes and other crops. He
also gave land to the army soldiers who had protected him from the Indians.
Members also recalled that Schroder’s Meadow Inn was located under the base of the bridge on
the river near the present parking area under the new higher bridge. It had a bar with a picnic
area and boat landing. The area flooded every year. The Pahl family/nursery farmed that area
and then moved and farmed an area further south in Eagan.
Foote suggested a bus tour in April (or when the weather warms) with DesLauriers showing
where the actual farms buildings, homestead, driveways etc. were located on the property of
founders of Eagan. She will coordinate and it will be discussed at the April meeting.
September Date For 1914 Town Hall 100 Anniversary
It was brought to Foote’s attention that this year’s Streets Alive event may not occur or at least
not in the same form as last year. There will be something held on September 15, 2014. Foote
will keep the committee advised.
Foote indicated she had voiced her concerns about the celebration to the City Administrator and
other senior staff due to the unknown status of the building. City Administrator Osberg was
clear that a celebration of the Town Hall—both the 100 year anniversary and the one-year since
the fire should be commemorated. He mentioned the one year anniversary date of the fire,
September 8, 2014 as a date to consider.
Possibilities were discussed about approaching it as an Irish wake, celebrating what we had and
wishing it well into the future. September 8th falls on a Monday so maybe celebrate on Saturday
the 6th or Sunday the 7th. Although a Monday evening could also be considered.
Foote suggested a1914-style picnic with a tent and possibly closing off the street and
incorporating building’s parking lot next door. Maybe an old fashion festival with games, music
and serve food from that era. Another idea was a pie social or a county fair type of atmosphere.
During a phone conversation Foote had with new member Anderson that he has a prior
engagement on that date but may be willing to make a connection with a person who has an old
time medicine show.
Consideration can be given as to kicking off fundraising activities at this event. Foote is
researching fund raising and what parameters the Historical Society would need to operate
within. She will update the Committee about this information at a future meeting.
Recap Work Session
Display Assembly/Disassembly
Foote thanked everyone for their help with cleaning and display work. She indicated Reid had
disassembled the Tom Hedge’s display at the ECC and replaced it with the Reid Display. Foote
will take photos of the display and include in the packet or email them to members. Members
made some additions to the Lone Oak display downstairs in the Municipal Center. The area that
held the Reid display will now be designated to the 1914 Town Hall. Members should consider
creating at least one more display. Members should be considering display ideas for discussion at
the next meeting.
Other
Voracek brought up planting a tree in Ted Wachter’s honor. The committee discussed sites,
either the 1914 Town Hall or at City Hall. As the 1914 Town Hall site is now in flux as an
option until more decisions are made, this should not likely be considered. Foote mentioned that
the Municipal Center campus is actually platted as the Wachter Addition in recognition of Ted
pushing the Council to retain such a large area. So the ability to recognize this site with a tree
and the fact that it is the Wachter Addition would be appropriate. It was suggested that the
Committee prepare a plaque and put that in place, in advance of a tree with the thought that it
could be relocated at a later date if needed and a plaque would be in place more immediately.
The cost of a tree and plaque will need to be researched. Foote did visited with Ann Wachter last
week and brought a tape of the last interview of Ted with the author.
NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at 3:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.